There are two kinds of volume settings. One is something only the audi can change, and that is the maximum loudness range. Usually they start out with the minimum loudness for someone like me with mild to moderate loss. So I can set it higher and lower on my HAs, but cannot go past the ceiling she set. There is also a medium and a high or something like that.
The second kind of loudness setting is the one that can be set in each program using the slider button on the iPhone/software. Click in the upper right corner if you are in the program and the volume slider will come up on your screen. This is the same amount of loudness (or softness) that you can set manually using the buttons on the hearing aid itself. At my last visit I told her that in noisy settings I could not turn it up enough to hear conversation. That’s when she changed it to a medium setting. Again I have a ceiling above which I cannot adjust, but now am able to turn it up enough to hear conversation in noisy setting.
Not sure why HAS and Audi’s set these to remain in narrow function, when you can do that yourself and also have more flexibility, assuming you have an iPhone and the software. My audi was not really clued in to all of the programming of these and what I’d need, so I just keep suggesting things after reading on here, trying things out. Or we discuss it. She’s quite responsive to it, and cheerfully does the changes.
I, too have found it’s a trade off between hearing the speech and having some harshness go along with it. I have begun to play around with the treble, and will try that again based on what you wrote. Still haven’t been in a really noisy restaurant, but eventually I will. The classroom, though is quite noisy sometimes with about 30 students talking at once when I have small group discussions in that limited space that’s mostly hard surfaces. I am having good results with the classroom now with the HA’s. This was the thing I worried most about.
You can do your own custom programs. I can see the issue I’m going to have is that my HAS wants to simplify things where I want the control. I bought these aids for the features and at next adjustment, I’m going to have her turn on some things. I’d like to control directionality and have other programs available. The HAS can set Noise Reduction and Directionality or give you the ability to change it with the iphone app.
I am interested in learning whether or not the ability to maker custom adjustments to the microphone directionality and noise reduction is of “real world” incremental value to the default Restaurant and Party programs.
Yes–There are the programs (limit four). Each has (is) its own algorithm. You can set various things within these programs. Within a program you can make it louder, quieter, or mute, for instance. Or change the bass and treble. When you have something you like, you can save the settings in the “favorites.” So you can set many variations of the four programs you have the audi put on your HA’s.
No–Only the Audi can make certain changes and these will limit or expand some options. If the audi sets the speech direction to “narrow” in your Party program you cannot change it within the program. There are also loudness levels that only the audi can set. For the first three weeks, mine was set at the minimum setting. So, even when I turned up the loudness all the way within my programs, it was still too quiet. I was missing various words and speech at the max level I could set. I asked her to set it so it would be louder. In other words, she set the range and I could change it, but only within that range.
I’m like you, bps, in that I want to be able to have maximum control possible. There seems to be a philosophy of simplifying, but as more and more people who are tech savvy start wearing HA’s they will probably want these things, too.
The first audi I went to did not seem to want to explain a lot of things, instead he seemed to want to control things. He was a very friendly guy, and also skilled, but wanted to call the shots in many ways and not give much information. I’m sure that works well for many people, but it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. The Costco audi was more willing to work as a team. I can see the benefit of working with someone that you feel is the right fit for you.
I find user adjustable settings for Microphone direction and Noise reduction, and Wind reduction when I demo the smart app. Those features are not actually available? There is only volume and tone?
Your audi has to turn on the “Sound Enhancer” functions. Mine was off when I first got them. On my next visit I asked about it and she turned it on.
Not all programs will allow all 3 functions.
“All-Around” only allows wind adjustment.
“Outdoor” allows noise and wind.
“Restaurant” allows noise and speech focus.
“Party” only allowed noise and speech focus, but my audi turned on wind for me.
Getting my Cala 8’s on thursday…and will be heading south a week later. Trying to get as many adjustments done the first time as I can. Wondering if I should replace the traffic program with the party program. Most of my problems come in large groups. I’m going to ask that the sound enhancer and wind functions are “turned on” and that tele coil is operational so that I can access the tele loop at a few locations.
Any other major things to ask about activating? (been reading the Cala manuals…and I think I have covered most of the bases??)
I’m not aware of anything else that can be activated. I have never had the traffic program and don’t know how much benefit you get from it, so I can’t really advise you on that. I will tell you about an experience I had just this past Friday.
My mother wanted my sister and I to take her to Luby’s Cafeteria for lunch for her 89th birthday, so naturally we did. The restaurant program helped, but I still had trouble hearing Mom (who was sitting right beside me) until I maxed out noise suppression and narrowed the speech focus all the way. That did a pretty good job of moving the constant buzz of voices into the background so I could hear her. Then some people sat down at the next table. One lady talked almost constantly and in a loud voice.
At that point I changed to the party program, narrowed the speech focus, and maxed out noise suppression. It wasn’t a 100% fix, but I was at least able to “tune out” loud lady and hear Mom pretty well.
Interesting, TexasBob. Did you find much difference between the Party and Restaurant Programs? I’m going to a restaurant later today, and I hope it’s noisy :rolleyes:. Unlike the past, when I hoped it wasn’t. I want to try out some of these things. Last time I went it was much quieter than usual.
I’m noticing a big change in the classroom. I have set a location favorite for that setting. Much like what you describe with Luby’s. Party setting, max out noise supression in the Noise setting, and narrow the focus in the Speech. I have to turn my head toward the speaker, but I nearly always hear every student. Sound quality is still not great, but that’s secondary. Seeing as how I wondered how I’d continue teaching, that is a big deal. It’s possible that the students have been “trained” to speak up more, too.
I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear. The restaurant program, with those settings worked pretty well until “loud lady” started yapping. Changing to the party program and those settings improved things further so that, with effort, I could “tune her out”.
In this one specific situation, the party program helped more than the restaurant program.
Thanks, Bob. I have been finding that the Party program works best for me in some noisy situations that I encounter, compared to restaurant. Since I’ll likely try another program next time I meet with my audi, I’ve been trying to decide between the two. You confirmed what I’ve found. I understand that each persons’ hearing loss and response to these things is different.
I went to a restaurant tonght and it was not too quiet, but not real noisy either. I was able to hear everyone at the table. I switched back and forth between the two programs and found I could hear more words more distinctly with the Party setting.
Thanks for the feedback on the Party program. I think I will eliminate the traffic program and use Party, Restaurant, Outdoor and All Around for my 4 picks. Not sure what traffic would achieve for me. I can see having a few different settings for different crowd situations. Thats where I have the most problems with hearing - noisy crowd situations.
